CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

RepublicanBill · H.R. 1148· House(119-HR-1148)

SMARTER Act

Rep. Van Drew
Age: 73 years
New Jersey
Introduced
2/7/2025
Last activity
2/7/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Sponsored by
Jefferson Van Drew
Cosponsors
None
Energy
  1. Introduced
  2. In Committee

What this bill would do

This bill, known as the "SMARTER Act," seeks to amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978. It aims to prohibit electric utilities from recovering costs from ratepayers related to the deployment of smart grid systems. The legislation requires State regulatory authorities and nonregulated utilities to consider and determine this prohibition within specific timeframes. Specifically, consideration must begin within one year and be completed within two years of the act's enactment. Certain prior state actions or legislative votes regarding these standards are exempted from these new requirements.

Yes· 3 of 5

  • Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+6

    The bill prohibits electric utilities from passing the costs of smart grid deployments onto consumers through their rates.

  • Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5

    By prohibiting the recovery of smart grid costs from ratepayers, the bill helps prevent increases in utility bills for low-income households.

  • Would middle-income households be better off under this?+5

    The bill prevents utility companies from passing smart grid investment costs onto middle-class consumers via their electricity rates.

The opposite

No question was scored the opposite.